Det. John Falcone honored by 200 near streets where he served

Feb. 24, 2011

Father Peter Kihm and Father Francis Mfodwo administer Communion during the memorial Mass. About 200 local residents came to the church in memory of the slain policeman, who was killed Feb. 18. / Photos by Ryan Paraggio/For the Poughkeepsie Journ

Written by

Michael Valkys

Poughkeepsie Journal

Father Francis Mfodwo, left, and Father Peter Kihm pray during the memorial Mass for Detective John Falcone on Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

More

ADVERTISEMENT

The sisters, both senior citizens, had never met slain City of Poughkeepsie Police Detective John Falcone.

Yet, there they were on a brisk Thursday morning, slowly walking around snowbanks in the parking lot of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the city, where a memorial Mass for Falcone was celebrated.

One of the sisters, city resident Teresa Moschetto, believed it was important to pay her respects to the man she did not know.

She did know, she said, that he gave his life to protect her and other residents.

"It's very sad," Moschetto said as she prepared to enter the church off Mill Street, not far from where Falcone was shot and killed on Feb. 18.

She said the tragedy reveals how quickly a life can be extinguished.

"It could have been anybody," Moschetto said. "It could have been me. It could have been anyone in my family."

Eleanor Lomoriello, Moschetto's sister and a Town of Poughkeepsie resident, said others had told her that Falcone was a fine man.

"I understand he was a very nice officer," Lomoriello said.

About 200 people came to the Mass celebrating Falcone's life. It was held to give local residents who could not attend Falcone's funeral in Putnam County a chance to grieve and pay their respects.

Falcone was laid to rest in Brooklyn Thursday after being shot to death Feb. 18 while responding to a report of shots fired near the Poughkeepsie Train Station.

Falcone, 44, was an 18-year veteran of the department. A patrolman when he was killed, he was promoted posthumously to detective.

Outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel, before the Mass began, small groups huddled and made their way inside. Black-and-purple bunting, a common sight in Poughkeepsie over the past week, hung near the entrance. The Walkway Over the Hudson stood in the distance as ice floated on the river. The only sound was the hum of cars on nearby Route 9.

Inside the church, mourners sat in silence waiting for the Mass to begin. Some walked down the aisle, kneeled and made the sign of the cross. Others lit candles in front of a framed color photograph of Falcone, smiling in his blue uniform shirt and sporting a black tie.

(Page 2 of 2)

A woman dabbed at her eyes with a white tissue. A church official directed people to their seats. An organ played softly.

He noted Falcone's actions last week, how the officer responded to a report of shots fired and helped prevent a 3-year-old girl from being killed.

Falcone, Kihm said, "was responding in goodness."

Falcone was shot and killed by 27-year-old Catskill resident Lee Welch, who moments earlier had shot and killed his estranged wife, 28-year-old Jessica Welch, as they sat in a sport utility vehicle parked off lower Main Street. The couple's 3-year-old child escaped unharmed.

Lee Welch shot and killed himself after mortally wounding Falcone.

"Evil stared us squarely in the face," Kihm said.

Authorities have said the Welches had a history of domestic violence.

Kihm told mourners not to ignore signs of domestic violence, noting that Falcone lost his life responding to such an act.

"We can't let Officer Falcone's death be in vain," Kihm said. "He opted for good. We should learn from his heroic act."